SPICE of life

These iconic spice blends span history, geography and a world of flavours, writes LARISSA DUBECKI.

- LARISSA DUBECKI

They’ve caused wars, forged global trading routes and established empires. Spices and their aromatic alchemy derived from dried seeds, bark and other plant parts have changed the world while banishing the bland.

No self-respecting home cook is without their own collection of essential spices, but to truly spice up your life it’s worth getting to know the world’s most iconic blends.

These essential spice mixes from around the globe transcend the sum of their parts. Time-honoured and deeply loved, they can be an assertion of national pride (witness Jamaica’s vocal disdain over Jamie Oliver’s “punchy jerk rice”) and a delicious vehicle for cultural understanding (some say one-quarter of the world’s population eat harissa on a daily basis).

Even essential spice blends vary between countries and regions. One region’s caraway seed is another’s aniseed, and remember: most are easily customisable, so don’t be afraid to tweak any spice recipe to your own preferences.

ZA’ATAR

A herby spice mix (or a spicy herb mix), this Levantine staple has a history dating back to biblical times. Often sprinkled on top of flatbreads, its pungent mix of dried thyme and oregano with the crucial ingredient of sumac (a tangy roasted berry), salt and toasted sesame seeds is also said to be chock-full of healthy antioxidants. Add it to everything from scrambled eggs to meatballs.